JP2006185451A - Uninterruptible power supply, computer system and method for monitoring start stage of computer by uninterruptible power supply - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To judge start stages of load equipment without specially providing a new device. <P>SOLUTION: An uninterruptible power supply 2 is connected to a computer 1 which is load equipment supplied with power by a communication cable 5 of predetermined communication standards and is started based on the power supply, and the uninterruptible power supply 2 has a communication member 44 which receives a signal by an initial setting operation of start from the computer 1. The uninterruptible power supply 2 detects voltage of the communication cable 5 and a signal transmitted to the communication cable 5 after starting the power supply to the computer 1 as the load equipment, and on the basis of these detection results, the uninterruptible power supply 2 judges that failure of hardware of the computer 1 occurs when predetermined voltage is not detected and judges that abnormality caused by a program of the computer 1 occurs when no signal is received. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an uninterruptible power supply that supplies power to a load device such as a computer. The present invention also relates to a computer startup stage monitoring method using a computer system and an uninterruptible power supply.

  In recent years, a computer system has been used in which a computer is installed in a store such as a convenience store and the computer and a monitoring device installed in a monitoring center are connected via a network. Also, in this computer system, a service program for ATM service is executed, thereby providing ATM service on a 24-hour basis. A computer system that can be used for such a purpose is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228707.

  In the computer system disclosed in Patent Document 1, a monitoring computer provided corresponding to an automatic cash machine and a monitoring center computer transmit and receive information via a network. And it is possible to quickly and accurately grasp the abnormality, performance, operating status, etc. of the automatic teller machine at a remote monitoring center.

  Non-Patent Document 1 is a specification regarding a plug and play function installed in an operating system called Windows (registered trademark). This specification specifies, for example, a communication method to be executed in order for peripheral devices connected to a computer using RS232 (Recommended Standard 232) C to be detected based on the plug and play function. Yes.

JP 2002008110 A "Plug and Play, External General Communication Device Specification", [online], Version 1.00, Microsoft Corporation & Hayes Microcomputer Products. , February 28, 1995

  However, the computer installed in the store in this way is not necessarily operated continuously for 24 hours. Computers that are not operated continuously for 24 hours are shut down and activated daily. Even if the computer is operated continuously for 24 hours, if there is an abnormality such as a power failure, it may be necessary to restart the computer.

  When the computer is activated, some abnormality may occur in the computer, and the computer may not be activated normally. The following problems occur when the computer cannot be started normally.

  If the computer is not started normally, the computer cannot notify the monitoring device of the abnormality.

  Therefore, until the store clerk confirms that the computer is not normal and notifies the monitoring center to that effect by telephone or the like, the monitoring center cannot grasp that the computer has not been started normally. . A store clerk, such as a convenience store, can't get rid of a computer, so it can't detect computer anomalies quickly. For this reason, it takes a long time to recover a computer that has not been started up.

  Further, since the cause of the abnormality is not notified from the computer, the monitoring center cannot grasp in what state the computer could not be started.

  Therefore, the system manager of the monitoring center dispatches a maintenance service person according to a normal repair routine. On the other hand, a computer system using a network combines a great variety of technologies. Therefore, some dispatched maintenance service personnel may not be very familiar with the technology causing the failure. If the person in charge of the maintenance service is unfamiliar, it is difficult to identify the cause of the failure, and the time until the computer is restored becomes longer.

  In addition, the maintenance service person needs to bring all the components of the computer installed in the store and all the software in order to quickly cope with any cause of failure. However, this is not realistic. Therefore, the maintenance service person dispatched first grasps the approximate cause of the failure and only notifies the monitoring center to that effect. After that, another maintenance service person who can deal with the found cause of the failure brings the necessary parts and performs the original repair. As a result, the time until the computer is restored becomes longer.

  Thus, in the conventional computer system, when the computer cannot be started normally, it takes a very long time to recover. In particular, the computer startup schedule is almost the same at all convenience stores that provide services. Therefore, when a computer cannot be started normally at many convenience stores at the same time, there is a shortage of maintenance service personnel, and it will take a very long time to fully disseminate all of them.

  Therefore, in order to grasp the abnormality at the time of starting the computer at the monitoring center, it is conceivable to provide a monitoring device separate from the computer and notify the monitoring center of the abnormality from the monitoring device. However, when such a monitoring device is newly added, the total price of a device such as a computer installed in each store increases, resulting in a huge cost increase for the entire computer system. Therefore, actually, a separate monitoring device for monitoring the activation of the computer is not installed in each store together with the computer.

  Therefore, the inventors have conducted extensive research on such problems of the computer system. As a result, in the computer system used for such a purpose, in order to ensure the operational stability of the computer, the uninterruptible power The present inventors have found that the power supply apparatus is connected and that the uninterruptible power supply apparatus and the load device used for such a purpose can communicate with each other, thereby completing the present invention.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an uninterruptible power supply device that can determine a start-up stage of a load device after power supply to the load device such as a computer is started.

  The present invention also provides a computer system capable of determining the start-up stage of a load device such as a computer, and an uninterruptible power supply, without using a new special device by using such an uninterruptible power supply. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for monitoring a startup stage of a computer by an apparatus.

  The uninterruptible power supply according to the present invention is connected to a computer that starts up based on power feeding as a load device that feeds power by means of a communication cable of a predetermined communication standard, and a signal generated by the initial setting operation from the computer. A communication member for receiving the voltage, voltage detection means for detecting a voltage change by the computer in the communication cable after the start of power supply to the computer as the load device, and a computer via the communication cable after the start of power supply to the computer as the load device When the signal detection means for detecting the signal from the voltage detection means and the voltage detection means do not detect a predetermined voltage change in the communication cable, it is determined that the computer hardware is faulty as a cause of the failure to start normally, and the signal detection means If you do not receive a signal from the computer, By determining that the E A abnormal, those comprising determination means for determining start-up phase of the computer as the load device, and a display member for a display according to the determination result by the determining means.

  By adopting this configuration, it is possible to determine the start-up abnormality of the load device by the uninterruptible power supply that supplies power to the computer as the load device. In particular, the load device detects a signal or voltage transmitted to the communication cable during its activation by a plurality of detection means, and the determination means determines the activation stage of the load device based on the detection results by the plurality of detection means. it can. It is possible to determine at least a computer hardware failure and a software abnormality. The determination result is displayed on the display member.

  Therefore, based on the determination result of the start stage displayed on the display member of the uninterruptible power supply, grasp to what stage the load device has been started or at which stage the load device has become unable to start be able to. By having a maintenance service person familiar with hardware or software perform repairs, the computer can be restored in a short time and with certainty.

  Another uninterruptible power supply according to the present invention is connected to a computer that starts up based on power feeding as a load device that feeds power through a communication cable of a predetermined communication standard, and an initial setting operation of starting from this computer A communication member that receives a signal from the communication device, a voltage detection means that detects a voltage change by the computer in the communication cable after starting the power supply to the computer as the load device, and a communication cable through the communication cable after the power supply to the computer as the load device is started. If the signal detection means for detecting the signal from the computer and the voltage detection means do not detect a predetermined voltage change in the communication cable, it is determined that the computer hardware is faulty as a cause of the failure to start normally, and signal detection is performed. If the instrument does not receive a signal from the computer, By determining an abnormality of Towea, those comprising determination means for determining start-up phase of the computer as the load device, and the network transmission member for transmitting a determination result by the determination means to the network.

  By adopting this configuration, it is possible to determine the start-up abnormality of the load device by the uninterruptible power supply that supplies power to the computer as the load device. In particular, the load device detects a signal or voltage transmitted to the communication cable during its activation by a plurality of detection means, and the determination means determines the activation stage of the load device based on the detection results by the plurality of detection means. it can. It is possible to determine at least a computer hardware failure and a software abnormality. The network communication member transmits the determination result.

  Therefore, based on the determination result of the startup stage transmitted from this network communication member, it is possible to grasp at which stage the load device has been started up or at which stage the load device has become unable to start up at a remote location. be able to. By having a maintenance service person familiar with hardware or software perform repairs, the computer can be restored in a short time and with certainty.

  A computer system according to the present invention includes a computer, a monitoring device connected to the computer via a network, an uninterruptible power supply device according to each of the above-described inventions that supplies power to the computer and is connected to the network, and a computer And a communication cable that connects the uninterruptible power supply so that signals can be transmitted and received. Then, the uninterruptible power supply transmits the determination result of the computer startup stage from the network transmission member to the monitoring apparatus, and the monitoring apparatus displays the determination result regarding the startup stage of the computer.

  By adopting this configuration, it is possible to determine the start-up abnormality of the load device by the uninterruptible power supply that supplies power to the computer as the load device. In particular, the load device detects a signal or voltage transmitted to the communication cable in the middle of its activation by a plurality of detection means of the uninterruptible power supply, and the determination means determines the load device activation stage based on the detection results of the plurality of detection means. Can be determined. It is possible to determine at least a computer hardware failure and a software abnormality. In addition, the determination result at the startup stage is transmitted from the network communication member of the computer to the monitoring device and displayed on the monitoring device.

  Therefore, based on the determination result of the start stage transmitted from this network communication member, the monitoring device grasps to what stage the load device has been started or at which stage the load device has become unable to start. can do. In addition, it is not necessary to bother to provide a special device in order for the monitoring device to grasp to what stage the load device has been activated or to which stage the load device has been unable to be activated. By having a maintenance service person familiar with hardware or software perform repairs, the computer system can be reliably restored in a short time.

  The computer startup stage monitoring method by the uninterruptible power supply apparatus according to the present invention is connected to a computer that starts up based on power feeding as a load device that feeds power by a communication cable of a predetermined communication standard. A computer start-up stage monitoring method by an uninterruptible power supply having a communication member that receives a signal from an initial start-up operation, which is transmitted to the communication cable voltage and the communication cable after power supply to the computer as a load device is started. If a predetermined voltage is not detected based on these detection results, it is determined that the computer hardware has failed. If no signal is received, an abnormality caused by the computer program is detected. It is determined.

  By adopting this method, it is possible to determine the start abnormality of the load device by the uninterruptible power supply that supplies power to the computer as the load device. In particular, it is possible to detect the voltage of the communication cable by the computer and a signal transmitted to the communication cable, and determine the startup stage of the computer based on the plurality of detection results. It is possible to determine at least a computer hardware failure and a software abnormality.

  Therefore, it is possible to easily grasp to which stage the load device has been activated or at which stage the load device has become unable to be activated based on the determination result of the activation stage. In addition, it is not necessary to bother to provide a special device in order for the monitoring device to grasp to what stage the load device has been activated or to which stage the load device has been unable to be activated. By having a maintenance service person familiar with hardware or software perform repairs, the computer system can be reliably restored in a short time.

  In the uninterruptible power supply according to the present invention, the start stage of the load device can be determined after power supply to the load device such as a computer is started. Further, in the computer startup stage monitoring method using the computer system and the uninterruptible power supply according to the present invention, a load device such as a computer can be used without using a special device by using such an uninterruptible power supply. Can be determined.

  Hereinafter, an uninterruptible power supply according to an embodiment of the present invention, a computer system, and a computer startup stage monitoring method by the uninterruptible power supply will be described with reference to the drawings. The computer startup stage monitoring method by the uninterruptible power supply device will be described as a part of the operation of the computer system.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a computer system using the uninterruptible power supply according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  A computer system using an uninterruptible power supply is installed in a monitoring center such as a computer 1 installed in a store such as a convenience store, an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) 2 installed in the store together with the computer 1, and a computer center. And the monitoring device 3 to be provided.

  The uninterruptible power supply 2 and the computer 1 are connected by a distribution line 4. A commercial AC power supply (not shown) is connected to the uninterruptible power supply 2 via another distribution line (not shown) corresponding to the distribution line 4. The uninterruptible power supply 2 normally supplies AC power supplied from a commercial AC power source to a computer 1 as a load device.

  The uninterruptible power supply 2 and the computer 1 are connected by an RS-232 serial cable 5 serving as a communication cable.

  The RS-232 serial cable 5 is composed of nine signal lines. In the RS-232 standard, these nine signal lines are used to make a CD (Carrier Detect) signal, an RD (Receive Data) signal, a TD (Transmit Data) signal, a DTR (Data Terminal Ready) signal, and an SG (Signal Ground). Signals, DSR (Data Set Ready) signals, RTS (Request to Send) signals, CTS (Clear to Send) signals, and RI (Ring Indicator (Open)) signals are transmitted and received.

  The computer 1 and the monitoring device 3 are connected by a network 6. The uninterruptible power supply 2 is also connected to this network 6. Examples of the network 6 include an intranet, the Internet, and an ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) exchange network. Ethernet (registered trademark) cables are widely used in intranets and the Internet. In the ATM switching network, a telephone line is widely used.

  FIG. 2 is an apparatus configuration diagram showing an internal configuration of the computer 1 in FIG.

  The computer 1 includes a motherboard unit 11 and a switching power supply 12.

  The motherboard unit 11 includes a printed circuit board 13. On the printed circuit board 13, a central processing unit (CPU) 14 that executes a program, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 15 that the central processing unit 14 uses as a work area when executing the program, Is implemented. The central processing unit 14 and the RAM 15 are connected to each other via a system bus 16 formed on the printed circuit board 13.

  In addition, the system bus 16 includes, as other devices, a storage member 17 such as a hard disk device for storing programs and data, a serial communication member 18 as a communication member to which the RS-232 serial cable 5 is connected, A network communication member 19 for connecting to the network 6, a monitor 20, and a keyboard 21 are connected.

  The distribution power line 4 is connected to the switching power supply 12. The distribution line 4 is connected to the uninterruptible power supply 2. Then, the switching power supply 12 converts the AC power supplied from the uninterruptible power supply 2 through the distribution line 4 into DC power. This DC power is supplied to the motherboard unit 11 and other devices. When the DC power from the switching power supply 12 is supplied to the central processing unit 14 of the motherboard unit 11, the RAM 15, the storage member 17, the serial communication member 18, the network communication member 19, the monitor 20, and the keyboard 21. The initial setting operation is automatically started using the DC power.

  When starting the initial setting operation, the serial communication member 18 changes the signal line for the DTR signal from 0 V to a predetermined voltage (voltage of +3 V or higher or voltage of −3 V or lower) in accordance with the RS-232 standard.

  Further, when communication data is input from the system bus 16, the serial communication member 18 transmits this communication data in accordance with the RS-232 standard. For transmission of this communication data, a signal line for a TD signal is used. When the serial communication member 18 receives communication data from the signal line for the RD signal, the serial communication member 18 outputs the communication data to the system bus 16.

  The network communication member 19 outputs communication data received from the network 6 to the system bus 16. The network communication member 19 transmits communication data input from the system bus 16 to the network 6.

  For example, when the network 6 described above transmits and receives communication data in accordance with TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol), the network communication member 19 transmits the transmission data and the destination IP input from the system bus 16. Packetized data, which is a signal obtained by combining addresses, is transmitted. Further, the network communication member 19 receives packetized data including its own IP address, and outputs the communication data included in the packet to the system bus 16.

  The storage member 17 stores an operating system program (OS program) 22, a UPS management program 23, and a service program 24. Both the UPS management program 23 and the service program 24 are application programs (AP programs). In the first embodiment, when the activation of the OS program 22 is completed, these AP programs are automatically activated.

  When the DC power is supplied, the central processing unit 14 reads the OS program 22 from the storage member 17 and executes it. Thereby, the OS means is realized. When activated, the OS means outputs a peripheral device detection signal for searching for other devices connected to the system bus 16 and devices connected to other devices in its initial setting operation.

  The peripheral device detection signal is transmitted to each of the other devices via the system bus 16. Each of the other devices responds and transmits their peripheral device data in response to the peripheral device detection signal.

  When peripheral device data is input to the central processing unit 14 via the system bus 16, the OS means stores the peripheral device data in the storage member 17. Further, the OS means constructs a software interface corresponding to the peripheral device data. Specifically, the OS means, for example, allocates a different storage area of the RAM 15 to each other device that has received the peripheral device data, and outputs the data written in the storage region to the other device. Further, the OS means performs processing for transferring data input from other devices to a predetermined program.

  When the peripheral device detection signal described above is input from the system bus 16, the serial communication member 18 transmits the signal line for the DTR signal of the RS-232 serial cable 5 to the uninterruptible power supply 2 or the like. Thereafter, when the peripheral device data from the uninterruptible power supply 2 or the like corresponding to the peripheral device detection signal is received from the signal line for the DTR signal of the serial cable for RS-232 5, the serial communication member 18 receives the received peripheral device. The device data is transmitted to the system bus 16. Peripheral devices such as the uninterruptible power supply 2 connected to the RS-232 serial cable 5 are also stored in the storage member 17 as other devices.

  As the OS means for outputting the peripheral device detection signal in the initial setting operation as described above, for example, there is an OS program 22 called Windows (registered trademark) or Linux. These OS programs 22 output peripheral device detection signals based on the plug-and-play specification to the system bus 16 when they are activated. The peripheral device detection signal based on the plug-and-play specification is a signal having a predetermined data pattern determined in advance in order to detect the peripheral device.

  Next, the OS means causes the central processing unit 14 to sequentially execute an AP program such as the UPS management program 23 in which automatic activation is set. Further, the central processing unit 14 is caused to execute the AP program designated by the keyboard 21.

  The UPS management program 23 is executed by the central processing unit 14. Thereby, a UPS management unit is realized.

  When started, the UPS management means outputs a transmission request such as setting data and operation data to the software interface for the serial communication member 18. This transmission request is output from the software interface for the serial communication member 18 to the serial communication member 18, and the uninterruptible power supply 2 through the signal line for the TD signal of the serial cable 5 for RS-232 from the serial communication member 18. Sent to.

  As will be described later, when the uninterruptible power supply 2 receives a transmission request, the uninterruptible power supply 2 transmits a response for setting data and operation data related to the transmission request. The setting data and operation data are received by the serial communication member 18 via the RS-232 serial cable 5 and further input to the UPS management means via the software interface for the serial communication member 18. The UPS management unit stores setting data and operation data in the storage member 17.

  The UPS management unit displays a UPS management screen on the monitor 20 as necessary, and displays data stored in the storage member 17 on the UPS management screen. When the data displayed on the UPS management screen is changed by an operation from the keyboard 21, the UPS management unit causes the changed data to be transmitted to the serial communication member 18. The uninterruptible power supply 2 updates the setting data and operation data with the data transmitted from the serial communication member 18. As a result, the uninterruptible power supply 2 monitors the power supply based on the setting data and operation data set by the computer 1 and controls the power supply to the computer 1.

  The setting data includes, for example, threshold data for determining voltage abnormality of commercial AC power input to the uninterruptible power supply 2, schedule data for designating a time zone in which power is output from the uninterruptible power supply 2. is there. The operation data includes control data for forcibly switching the operation mode of the uninterruptible power supply 2 or forcibly stopping it.

  The service program 24 is executed by the central processing unit 14. Thereby, a service means is realized. When activated, the service means displays a predetermined service screen on the monitor 20 and executes a predetermined service in accordance with input data from the keyboard 21. The service means transmits data and requests from the network communication member 19 to the monitoring device 3 as necessary.

  Further, for example, when an execution error occurs, the service means transmits communication data for notifying the monitoring apparatus 3 from the network communication member 19. On the contrary, the service means executes the service using the communication data received by the network communication member 19 from the monitoring device 3.

  Services that can be realized by the computer 1 having such service means include, for example, CD (cash dispenser) service, ATM (automatic teller machine) service, loan service, ticket reservation service such as air ticket and box office There are virtual store services for selling books, e-mail use services, Internet use services, DPE services, copy services, and the like.

  FIG. 3 is an apparatus configuration diagram showing an internal configuration of the uninterruptible power supply 2 in FIG.

  The uninterruptible power supply 2 is connected to an input terminal 31 to which a commercial AC power supply is connected via a distribution line, an output terminal 32 to which the computer 1 as a load device is connected via the distribution line 4, and the input terminal 31. Converter 33, inverter 34 connected to output terminal 32, and battery 35 connected between converter 33 and inverter 34.

  Converter 33 converts AC power input from input terminal 31 into DC power. This DC power is supplied to the battery 35 and the inverter 34. The battery 35 is charged with DC power. The inverter 34 converts DC power into AC power. The AC power generated by the inverter 34 is output from the output terminal 32 to the computer 1.

  Converter 33 and inverter 34 are controlled by microcomputer 36. The microcomputer 36 includes an I / O port (Input / Output Port) 37 for inputting / outputting control signals to / from the converter 33 and the inverter 34, a storage member 38 for storing programs and data, and a central processing for executing the programs. A device 39, a RAM 40 that is used as a work area when the central processing unit 39 executes a program, and a system bus 41 that connects them to each other are provided.

  The storage member 38 stores a power supply monitoring program 42. The power supply monitoring program 42 is executed by the central processing unit 39 when the uninterruptible power supply 2 is activated. Thereby, the self-detecting means and the power supply monitoring means as the detecting means are realized. The storage member 38 also stores device data 43 such as setting data, operation data, and alarm data.

  When activated, the power monitoring means monitors the AC power input to the input terminal 31. Actually, a detection signal from a detection member (not shown) for detecting an input voltage and an input current is input to the I / O port 37, and the detection signal input to the I / O port 37 is monitored. This detection signal and the like are stored in the storage member 38 as operation data.

  Then, when it can be determined that the detection signal input to the I / O port 37 is normal based on setting data such as the input voltage range, the power supply monitoring unit operates the converter 33 and the inverter 34. Thereby, the uninterruptible power supply 2 can output normal AC power input from the input terminal 31 from the output terminal 32. The uninterruptible power supply 2 can charge the battery 35 with normal AC power input from the input terminal 31.

  When the detection signal input to the I / O port 37 becomes abnormal due to a power failure or the like, the power supply monitoring unit stops the converter 33. As a result, the DC power stored in the battery 35 is output from the output terminal 32 as backup power via the inverter 34. Further, the power monitoring means stores alarm data indicating a state in which the backup power is being supplied in the storage member 38.

  As described above, the uninterruptible power supply 2 continues to supply normal AC power from the output terminal 32 by switching the power supply source to the battery 35 even if an abnormality occurs in the AC power input to the input terminal 31. be able to. As a result, the computer 1 (load device) connected to the output terminal 32 is supplied from the uninterruptible power supply 2 even though the AC power input to the input terminal 31 is in an abnormal state. The backup power can continue to operate normally.

  Further, when normal power is output from the inverter 34, the power supply monitoring unit stores a power supply start flag in the storage member 38. Whether or not normal power is output from the inverter 34 is determined by, for example, detecting an output voltage with a voltage detector (not shown) and determining whether or not the output voltage is within a predetermined voltage range. do it.

  The uninterruptible power supply 2 according to the first embodiment includes a serial communication member 44 as a communication member to which the RS-232 serial cable 5 is connected, a network communication member 45 connected to the network 6, and Display member 46. The serial communication member 44, the network communication member 45, and the display member 46 are connected to the I / O port 37.

  The serial communication member 44 and the network communication member 45 operate in the same manner as those of the same name in the computer 1 of FIG.

  Then, when the supply of backup power is started, the power supply monitoring unit causes the serial communication member 44 to transmit a stop signal. This stop signal is received by the UPS management means via the RS-232 serial cable 5 and the serial communication member 18 of the computer 1. The UPS management means executes a stop process of the computer 1 based on this stop signal. When a predetermined time has elapsed since the stop signal was transmitted, the power supply monitoring unit stops the inverter 34. Accordingly, the computer 1 can be normally stopped before the stored power of the battery 35 is exhausted. Further, since the computer 1 is normally stopped, data being processed by the computer 1 is not lost.

  The power supply monitoring unit may continue to monitor the AC power input to the input terminal 31 after stopping the converter 33 and outputting the stop signal in this way. When the AC power returns to a normal state, the power supply monitoring unit operates the converter 33 and the inverter 34 again. As a result, the computer 1 can be restarted as soon as the commercial AC power is restored.

  In the computer 1 according to the first embodiment, when DC power is supplied from the switching power supply 12, the motherboard unit 11 and other devices automatically start their initial setting operations. On the other hand, even if the DC power from the switching power supply 12 is supplied, the computer 1 can be configured not to automatically start the initial setting operation. When the computer 1 configured not to automatically start the initial setting operation in response to power supply is connected as a load device, the power supply monitoring unit operates the converter 33 and the inverter 34 again. The activation signal may be transmitted from the serial communication member 44 to the computer 1 later. By this activation signal, the computer 1 configured not to automatically start the initial setting operation by the supply of DC power from the switching power supply 12 is activated.

  The display member 46 includes three red LEDs (Light Emitting Diode) (not shown) and one blue LED. Each of the three red LEDs is assigned a display of failure level 0, failure level 1 and failure level 2, which will be described later. The blue LED is assigned a normal operation level display.

  Furthermore, the storage member 38 of the uninterruptible power supply 2 according to the first embodiment includes a voltage detection program 47, an OS signal detection program 48, a local communication program 49, a determination program 50, a network communication program 51, LED control program 52 is stored. These programs 47 to 52 are executed by the central processing unit 39 together with the power monitoring program 42 when the uninterruptible power supply 2 is activated.

  When the voltage detection program 47 is executed by the central processing unit 39, voltage detection means and voltage detection means as detection means are realized. The voltage detection means monitors the signal line for the DTR signal connected to the serial communication member 44 and detects the voltage level of the signal line. When the voltage level of the signal line for the DTR signal of the RS-232 serial cable 5 is greater than or equal to plus or minus 3 V, the voltage detection unit stores a voltage detection flag indicating that the voltage has been detected. The member 38 is memorized.

  When the OS signal detection program 48 is executed by the central processing unit 39, OS signal detection means, signal detection means, and OS signal detection means as detection means are realized. The OS signal detection unit monitors the signal line for the DTR signal of the RS-232 serial cable 5 and detects a peripheral device detection signal. When the peripheral device detection signal is detected, the OS signal detection unit stores an OS detection flag indicating that the peripheral device detection signal is detected in the storage member 38.

  Whether or not the signal from the signal line for the DTR signal is a peripheral device detection signal, for example, a pattern of the peripheral device detection signal is stored in advance in the storage member 38 and stored in the storage member 38. What is necessary is just to determine whether the pattern and the pattern of the signal from the signal line for DTR signals correspond.

  When the local communication program 49 is executed by the central processing unit 39, AP signal detection means, signal detection means, and local communication means as detection means are realized. The local communication means monitors the signal line for the TD signal of the RS-232 serial cable 5, detects a signal from this signal line, and stores it in the storage member 38. The local communication means causes the serial communication member 44 to transmit the setting data, operation data, and alarm data from the signal line for the RD signal of the RS-232 serial cable 5.

  Further, when the local communication means detects the first signal on the signal line for the TD signal of the RS-232 serial cable 5, the local communication means stores an AP detection flag indicating that the signal is detected in the storage member 38. In the first embodiment, when the UPS management unit of the computer 1 is activated, it first transmits a transmission request to the signal line for the TD signal. Therefore, in the first embodiment, when the local communication unit detects this transmission request, the local detection unit stores the AP detection flag indicating that the signal is detected in the storage member 38.

  In addition to this, for example, the UPS management means of the computer 1 may transmit time data of a built-in timer (not shown) of the computer 1 when activated. In this case, the local communication unit of the uninterruptible power supply 2 may store the received time data in the storage member 38. Thereby, the storage member 38 of the uninterruptible power supply 2 accumulates the startup log of the UPS management means, that is, the log that the computer 1 has started normally. As a result, by confirming the last time in the log, it is possible to estimate the time zone in which an abnormality has occurred in the stopped computer 1.

  When the determination program 50 is executed by the central processing unit 39, determination means is realized. The determination unit monitors whether or not four flags of a power supply start flag, a voltage detection flag, an OS detection flag, and an AP detection flag are stored in the storage member 38.

  When only the power supply start flag is stored, the determination unit determines that the failure level is 0. When the power supply start flag and the voltage detection flag are stored, the determination unit determines that the failure level is 1. When the power supply start flag, the voltage detection flag, and the OS detection flag are stored, the determination unit determines that the failure level is 2. When the power supply start flag, the voltage detection flag, the OS detection flag, and the AP detection flag are stored, the determination unit determines that the operation is normal.

  The determination unit determines that the operation is normal when the AP detection flag is stored, and determines that the failure level is 2 when the AP detection flag is not stored and the OS detection flag is stored. If the OS detection flag is not stored and the voltage detection flag is stored, it is determined that the failure level is 1, and if only the power supply start flag is stored, the determination unit determines that the failure level is 0. May be.

  In the case of this modification, for example, even if the local communication means detects the first signal while the OS signal detection means cannot receive the peripheral device detection signal due to a communication failure or the like, the determination means It can be correctly determined that the computer 1 is operating normally.

  Then, the determination unit stores the determination result determined based on these four flags in the storage member 38.

  When the LED control program 52 is executed by the central processing unit 39, LED control means is realized. The LED control means outputs an LED lighting signal corresponding to the level stored as a determination result in the storage member 38 to the I / O port 37. The LED lighting signal is input to the display member 46 via the I / O port 37. The display member 46 alternatively lights up the LED at the level specified by the LED lighting signal. Thereby, it is possible to grasp to what level the computer 1 is activated by checking the LEDs that are lit on the display member 46.

  In addition, the display member 46 is good to light-extinguish all LED during the period after it starts and this LED lighting signal is input. Therefore, when all the LEDs are turned off, it can be determined that normal power is not output from the uninterruptible power supply 2.

  When the network communication program 51 is executed by the central processing unit 39, network communication means is realized. Normally, the network communication means of the uninterruptible power supply 2 does not transmit / receive communication data. When the determination result stored in the storage member 38 is the failure level 0 to 2, the network communication unit causes the network communication member 45 to transmit communication data indicating a start error to the monitoring device 3. The network communication means may transmit the communication data indicating the start error to the monitoring device 3 through the network communication member 45 even when a state in which normal power is not output from the uninterruptible power supply device 2 continues for a long time. Good. At this time, the network communication means designates the monitoring device 3 as the transmission destination as described above. The network communication member 45 designates the designated monitoring device 3 as a transmission destination, and transmits communication data indicating a startup error to the network 6.

  FIG. 4 is a device configuration diagram showing an internal configuration of the monitoring device 3 in FIG.

  The monitoring device 3 is connected to a central processing unit 61 that executes a program, a RAM 62 that is used as a work area when the central processing unit 61 executes the program, a storage member 63 that stores programs and data, and a network 6. A network communication member 64, a monitor 65, a keyboard 66, and a system bus 67 for connecting them. Each component of the monitoring device 3 performs the same function as the component of the same name of the computer 1 shown in FIG. 2, and the description is omitted or simplified, and only different parts will be described.

  A system monitoring program 68 is stored in the storage member 63. The system monitoring program 68 is executed by the central processing unit 61 when the monitoring device 3 is activated. Thereby, a system monitoring means is realized.

  The system monitoring unit causes the storage member 63 to store communication data received from the network 6 by the network communication member 64. The system monitoring unit causes the monitor 65 to display the data stored in the storage member 63. The system monitoring unit generates communication data based on the input data input from the keyboard 66 and causes the network communication member 64 to transmit the communication data.

  Next, the overall operation of the computer system using the uninterruptible power supply configured as described above will be described.

  The uninterruptible power supply 2 is activated in accordance with an activation command signal from the monitoring device 3 or a preset activation schedule. When the uninterruptible power supply 2 is activated, the central processing unit 39 of the uninterruptible power supply 2 performs a power supply monitoring program 42, a voltage detection program 47, an OS signal detection program 48, a local communication program 49, a determination program 50, and network communication. The program 51 and the LED control program 52 are automatically executed.

  When there is no abnormality in the commercial AC power input to the uninterruptible power supply 2, the power supply monitoring unit operates the converter 33 and the inverter 34. As a result, power based on commercial AC power is output from the output terminal 32. The electric power output from the output terminal 32 of the uninterruptible power supply 2 is supplied to the switching power supply 12 of the computer 1 as a load device via the distribution line 4. Further, when a normal voltage is output from the inverter 34, the power supply monitoring unit stores a power supply start flag in the storage member 38.

  The switching power supply 12 of the computer 1 converts the supplied AC power into DC power, and supplies DC power to the motherboard unit 11 and other devices. Thereby, the central processing unit 14, the RAM 15, the storage member 17, the serial communication member 18, the network communication member 19, the monitor 20, and the keyboard 21 constituting the computer 1 use their DC power to The setting operation starts automatically.

  First, the serial communication member 18 of the computer 1 changes the signal line for the DTR signal from 0 V to a predetermined voltage (voltage of +3 V or higher or voltage of −3 V or lower) in the initial setting operation. In response to this, the voltage detection means of the uninterruptible power supply 2 stores a voltage detection flag indicating that the voltage has been detected in the storage member 38.

  When activated, the central processing unit 14 of the computer 1 reads and executes the OS program 22. The OS means realized thereby outputs a peripheral device detection signal. The serial communication member 18 of the computer 1 outputs the peripheral device detection signal from the signal line for the DTR signal of the RS-232 serial cable 5. In response to this, the OS signal detection means of the uninterruptible power supply 2 stores an OS detection flag indicating that the peripheral device detection signal is detected in the storage member 38.

  The local communication unit of the uninterruptible power supply 2 causes the serial communication member 44 to transmit peripheral device data in response to the peripheral device detection signal. The peripheral device data is received by the serial communication member 18 of the computer 1 and stored in the storage member 17. The OS means constructs a software interface to the uninterruptible power supply 2.

  Next, the central processing unit 14 of the computer 1 executes the UPS management program 23 and the service program 24. When activated, the UPS management means transmits a transmission request to the uninterruptible power supply 2 using a software interface. In response to this, the local communication means of the uninterruptible power supply 2 stores the AP detection flag indicating that the signal is detected in the storage member 38.

  Further, the local communication means of the uninterruptible power supply 2 causes the serial communication member 44 to respond and transmit setting data, operation data, and alarm data in response to this transmission request. The setting data, operation data, and alarm data are stored in the storage member 17 of the computer 1 and displayed on the monitor 20 as necessary.

  The determination unit of the uninterruptible power supply 2 monitors whether or not the storage member 38 stores four flags: a power supply start flag, a voltage detection flag, an OS detection flag, and an AP detection flag. When the startup of the computer 1 is completed normally, these four flags are stored in the storage member 38, so the determination means determines that the operation is normal. The LED control means turns on the blue LED.

  When all the four flags are not stored in the storage member 38, the determination unit determines one of the failure levels 0 to 2. Then, the LED control means alternatively turns on the red LED corresponding to the determination.

  The determination means may determine the four flags at a timing when a predetermined time has elapsed from the time of activation of the uninterruptible power supply 2, but it is preferable to determine the flag periodically and repeatedly from the time of activation. Thereby, for example, by starting the power supply from the uninterruptible power supply 2 to the computer 1, the red LED corresponding to the failure level 0 is turned on, and the computer 1 is activated to detect a predetermined voltage, thereby The red LED corresponding to the level 1 is turned on, the computer 1 is activated to detect the peripheral device detection signal, the red LED corresponding to the failure level 2 is turned on, and a transmission request from the computer 1 is further detected. Thus, the blue LED corresponding to the normal operation can be turned on. Therefore, since the LED to light changes according to the starting stage of the computer 1, it can be grasped | ascertained easily how far the computer 1 has started only by observing LED which has lighted.

  When the determination result stored in the storage member 38 is the failure level 0-2, the network communication means designates the monitoring device 3 as the transmission destination, and transmits the communication data indicating the start error to the network communication member. 45 is transmitted. Communication data indicating an activation error is received by the network communication member 64 of the monitoring device 3 via the network 6 and stored in the storage member 63 of the monitoring device 3. Further, the system monitoring means displays on the monitor 65 that the computer 1 has failed to start and the failure level based on the start error.

  As a result, the system manager of the monitoring center that is away from the computer 1 and the uninterruptible power supply 2 can not normally start the computer 1 based on the display on the monitor 65 of the monitoring device 3, and which startup It is possible to know whether it can no longer be started at the stage. Even if a failure has occurred in the network 6, the convenience store clerk phone-contacts the LED lit on the display member 46 of the uninterruptible power supply 2 to the monitoring center. The person can grasp the failure state of the computer 1.

  Specifically, for example, when the determination result is the failure level 0, the serial communication member 18 of the computer 1 is used for the TD signal even though the uninterruptible power supply 2 supplies power to the computer 1. This is a case where the signal line cannot be controlled to + 3V or more. Therefore, the system administrator can consider a hardware failure of the switching power supply 12 as the main cause of failure.

  When the judgment result is failure level 1, the peripheral device detection signal from the OS means is uninterrupted even though the serial communication member 18 of the computer 1 controls the signal line for the TD signal to plus or minus 3V or more. This is a case where the power supply device 2 did not detect it. Therefore, the system administrator can consider that the main cause of failure is a hardware failure of the motherboard unit 11 of the computer 1 or other devices, or a software failure related to the OS program 22.

  When the determination result is failure level 2, the transmission request from the computer 1 is not detected by the uninterruptible power supply 2 even though the peripheral device detection signal from the OS means of the computer 1 is detected. Is the case. Therefore, the system administrator can consider that the main cause of the failure is a software failure related to the UPS management program 23 of the computer 1.

  As a result, if the failure level is 0, the system administrator can contact a maintenance service person who is familiar with the switching power supply 12 and send it to the site. If the failure level is 1, the person in charge of maintenance service who is familiar with the computer 1 can be contacted and sent to the site. Furthermore, if the failure level is 2, the person in charge of software maintenance service who is familiar with the UPS management program 23 can be contacted and sent to the site.

  It should be noted that the service program 24 may be considered abnormal when a telephone call or the like indicating that the service cannot be used is received even though these activation errors are not notified. Therefore, the system administrator can contact a maintenance service person who is familiar with the service program 24 and send it to the site.

  As described above, if the computer system using the uninterruptible power supply according to the first embodiment is used, the uninterruptible power supply 2 detects the voltage and signal output by the computer 1 as the load device at the time of startup. The uninterruptible power supply 2 determines the startup failure level of the load device. Therefore, although this computer system using the uninterruptible power supply is constructed by a variety of technologies, the computer system appropriate to each technology is appropriate based on the information on the failure level determined by the uninterruptible power supply 2. Maintenance service personnel can be dispatched to the site. As a result, an appropriate maintenance service person can make an accurate repair of the computer 1 and the uninterruptible power supply 2 in a short time. In addition, the operating rate of the computer 1 can be improved as the repair time is shortened. Furthermore, it is not necessary for each maintenance service person to bring all the replacement parts and all the software composing the computer 1 and the uninterruptible power supply 2 to the site.

  The serial communication member 18 of the computer 1 and the serial communication member 44 of the uninterruptible power supply 2 are originally provided for managing the uninterruptible power supply 2 by the computer 1. Therefore, the start-up stage of the computer 1 is monitored by the uninterruptible power supply 2 as in the first embodiment. The stage can be monitored. Therefore, for example, it is possible to monitor the start-up stage of the computer 1 with a minimum configuration and at a much lower cost than when a device for monitoring the start-up stage of the computer 1 is newly provided. As a result, an inexpensive and highly reliable computer system can be provided. In addition, since it is not necessary to provide such a new device, the installation space for the computer 1 and the uninterruptible power supply 2 can be the same as before. Furthermore, since the uninterruptible power supply 2 is monitoring, the processing load of the computer 1 itself is not increased unlike the case where the computer 1 itself has a monitoring function, and the execution failure of the service program 24 is prevented. There is no fear of becoming.

  In the first embodiment, the uninterruptible power supply 2 and the computer 1 are connected by a serial cable 5 for RS-232. In addition, for example, the uninterruptible power supply 2 and the computer 1 are connected by a SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) cable, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable, an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable, another serial cable, a parallel cable, or the like. It may be connected. Then, communication members corresponding to the serial communication members 18 and 44 may be provided at the entrances and exits of these cables, and signals exchanged by the cables may be monitored.

  In the first embodiment, the serial communication member 44 of the uninterruptible power supply 2 and the serial communication member 18 of the computer 1 are connected by a cable. In addition to this, for example, the uninterruptible power supply 2 and the computer 1 may be provided with a serial communication member of a wireless communication system, and data may be transmitted and received wirelessly between these serial communication members.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram showing a computer system using the uninterruptible power supply according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted or simplified.

  In the computer system using the uninterruptible power supply according to the second embodiment, the uninterruptible power supply 2 and the computer 1 are connected by a SCSI cable 71 as a communication cable.

  FIG. 6 is an apparatus configuration diagram showing an internal configuration of the computer 1 in FIG.

  The computer 1 includes a SCSI communication member 72 as a communication member. The SCSI communication member 72 includes a connector 73 to which the SCSI cable 71 is connected, and a SCSI controller 74 connected to the connector 73.

  When the DC power from the switching power supply 12 is supplied, the SCSI controller 74 automatically executes a BIOS (Basic Input Output System) program stored therein. Then, the SCSI controller 74 outputs a predetermined voltage to the signal line for the termination power signal.

  In the startup setting operation, the SCSI controller 74 continues to transmit an SDTR (Synchronous Data Transfer Request) signal to peripheral devices connected to the SCSI cable 71. Each peripheral device can receive the SDTR signal and grasp the transfer mode for communicating with the SCSI communication member 72 of the computer 1.

  When the SCSI controller 74 of the computer 1 receives data such as a peripheral device detection signal from the OS means or a transmission request from the UPS management means from the system bus 16, the data is output from the connector 73 as communication data. To do. When communication data is input from the connector 73, it is output to the system bus 16 as data.

  FIG. 7 is a device configuration diagram showing an internal configuration of the uninterruptible power supply 2 in FIG. The same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified.

  The uninterruptible power supply 2 includes a SCSI communication member 75 as a communication member and a display member 76.

  The SCSI communication member 75 of the uninterruptible power supply 2 transmits data input from the I / O port 37 to the SCSI cable 71 as communication data. Further, the SCSI communication member 75 outputs data received from the SCSI cable 71 to the I / O port 37.

  The display member 76 includes four red LEDs and one blue LED. Each of the four red LEDs is assigned a display of failure level 0, failure level 1, failure level 2 and failure level 3, which will be described later. The blue LED is assigned a normal operation display. The display member 76 selects an LED at a level specified by the LED lighting signal and selectively turns it on.

  The storage member 38 of the uninterruptible power supply 2 includes an OS signal detection program 48, a local communication program 49, a network communication program 51, an LED control program 52, a voltage detection program (corresponding to the voltage detection program 47 of the first embodiment) 77. The BIOS signal detection program 78, the determination program 79, and the like are stored. These programs 48, 49, 51, 52, 77, 78, and 79 are automatically executed by the central processing unit 39 when the uninterruptible power supply 2 is activated.

  When the voltage detection program 77 is executed by the central processing unit 39, voltage detection means and voltage detection means as detection means are realized. The voltage detection unit monitors the signal line for the termination power signal connected to the SCSI communication member 75 and detects the voltage level of the signal line. Then, when detecting that a predetermined voltage is applied to the signal line for the termination power signal, the voltage detection means stores a voltage detection flag indicating that the voltage is detected in the storage member 38.

  When the BIOS signal detection program 78 is executed by the central processing unit 39, BIOS signal detection means, signal detection means, and BIOS signal detection means as detection means are realized. The BIOS signal detection means monitors the SCSI cable 71 and detects the SDTR signal. When the BIOS signal detection means detects the SDTR signal from the SCSI controller 74, the BIOS signal detection means stores a BIOS detection flag indicating that the SDTR signal from the SCSI controller 74 has been detected in the storage member 38.

  The determination means realized by executing the determination program 79 by the central processing unit 39 includes five flags on the storage member 38: a power supply start flag, a voltage detection flag, a BIOS detection flag, an OS detection flag, and an AP detection flag. Monitor whether it is stored.

  When only the power supply start flag is stored, the determination unit determines that the failure level is 0. When the power supply start flag and the voltage detection flag are stored, the determination unit determines that the failure level is 1. When the power supply start flag, the voltage detection flag, and the BIOS detection flag are stored, the determination unit determines that the failure level is 2. When the power supply start flag, the voltage detection flag, the BIOS detection flag, and the OS detection flag are stored, the determination unit determines that the failure level is 3. When the power supply start flag, the voltage detection flag, the BIOS detection flag, the OS detection flag, and the AP detection flag are stored, the determination unit determines that the operation is normal.

  As described above, the other constituent elements are the same as the constituent elements having the same names described in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted by assigning the same reference numerals.

  Next, the overall operation of the computer system using the uninterruptible power supply configured as described above will be described.

  When the uninterruptible power supply 2 is activated, the converter 33 and the inverter 34 are operated, and the power supply start flag is stored in the storage member 38.

  The electric power supplied from the uninterruptible power supply 2 to the computer 1 is converted into DC power by the switching power supply 12 of the computer 1, and the motherboard unit 11 and other devices automatically start their operations with this DC power.

  Then, the SCSI communication member 72 of the computer 1 outputs a predetermined voltage to the signal line for the termination power signal in its startup setting operation. The voltage detection means of the uninterruptible power supply 2 detects the voltage of the signal line for the termination power signal, and stores a voltage detection flag indicating that the voltage has been detected in the storage member 38.

  The SCSI communication member 72 of the computer 1 continues to transmit the SDTR signal in the initial setting operation. The BIOS signal detection means of the uninterruptible power supply 2 detects this SDTR signal, and stores the BIOS detection flag indicating that the SDTR signal is detected in the storage member 38.

  Similarly, when a peripheral device detection signal is transmitted from the computer 1, an OS detection flag indicating that the peripheral device detection signal is detected is stored in the storage member 38 of the uninterruptible power supply 2. When a transmission request is transmitted from the computer 1, the storage member 38 of the uninterruptible power supply 2 stores an AP detection flag indicating that a signal has been detected.

  The determination unit of the uninterruptible power supply 2 monitors whether or not the storage member 38 stores five flags: a power supply start flag, a voltage detection flag, a BIOS detection flag, an OS detection flag, and an AP detection flag. When the computer 1 starts up normally, since the five flags are stored in the storage member 38, the determination unit determines that the operation is normal. The LED control means turns on the blue LED of the display member 76.

  When all the five flags are not stored in the storage member 38, the determination unit determines one of the failure levels 0 to 3. Then, the LED control means alternatively turns on the red LED corresponding to the determination. Further, when the determination result stored in the storage member 38 is the failure level 0 to 3, the network communication means designates the monitoring device 3 as the transmission destination, and transmits the communication data indicating the start error to the network communication member. 45 to the monitoring device 3. This failure level is displayed on the monitor 65 of the monitoring device 3.

  As a result, the system manager of the monitoring center that is away from the computer 1 and the uninterruptible power supply 2 not only has not been able to start up the computer 1 normally based on the display on the monitor 65 of the monitoring device 3, It is possible to grasp whether it has become impossible to start in the startup stage. Even if a failure has occurred in the network 6, the convenience store clerk phone-contacts the LED lit on the display member 76 of the uninterruptible power supply 2 to the monitoring center. The person can grasp the failure state of the computer 1.

  For example, when the failure level is 0, the uninterruptible power supply 2 is supposed to supply power to the computer 1, but the SCSI communication member 72 of the computer 1 sets the signal line for the termination power signal to a predetermined level. This is a case where the voltage could not be controlled. Therefore, the system administrator can consider a hardware failure related to the switching power supply 12 of the computer 1 as the main cause of the failure.

  When the failure level is 1, the SDTR signal is not received by the uninterruptible power supply 2 even though the SCSI communication member 72 of the computer 1 can control the signal line for the termination power signal to a predetermined voltage. This is the case. Therefore, the system administrator can consider a hardware failure such as the SCSI communication member 72 of the computer 1 as the main cause of the failure.

  The failure level 2 is a case where a peripheral device detection signal from the computer 1 is not detected by the uninterruptible power supply 2 even though the SDTR is received by the uninterruptible power supply 2. Therefore, the system administrator can consider that the main cause of failure is a hardware failure of the motherboard unit 11 of the computer 1 or other devices, or a software failure related to the OS program 22.

  When the failure level is 3, the uninterruptible power supply 2 detects a transmission request from the computer 1 even though the peripheral device detection signal from the OS means of the computer 1 is detected in the uninterruptible power supply 2. This is the case. Therefore, the system administrator can consider that the main cause of the failure is a software failure related to the UPS management program 23 of the computer 1.

  As a result, if the failure level is 0, the system administrator can contact a hardware maintenance service person who is familiar with the switching power supply 12 and send it to the site. If the fault level is 1, the person in charge of hardware maintenance service who is familiar with the SCSI device can be contacted and sent to the site. If the failure level is 2, the person in charge of maintenance service who is familiar with the computer 1 can be contacted and sent to the site. Furthermore, if the failure level is 3, the person in charge of software maintenance service who is familiar with the UPS management program 23 can be contacted and sent to the site.

  Other operations are the same as those described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  As described above, if the computer system using the uninterruptible power supply according to the second embodiment is used, the uninterruptible power supply 2 detects the voltage and signal output by the computer 1 as the load device at the time of startup. The uninterruptible power supply 2 can classify and determine the level of startup failure of the computer 1 as a load device into five. Therefore, despite the fact that the computer system has been constructed with a wide variety of technologies, based on the information on the failure level determined by the uninterruptible power supply 2, appropriate maintenance service personnel who are familiar with each technology are on-site. Can be dispatched. As a result, an appropriate maintenance service person can make an accurate repair of the computer 1 and the uninterruptible power supply 2 in a short time. In addition, the operating rate of the computer 1 can be improved as the repair time is shortened. Further, it is not necessary for each maintenance service person to bring all the replacement parts and all the software that constitute the computer 1 and the uninterruptible power supply 2.

  Specifically, for example, when a hardware failure relating to the switching power supply 12 has occurred, a maintenance service person familiar with the switching power supply 12 can efficiently and quickly recover the failure based on the determination result of the failure level 0. be able to.

  In addition, when a failure of execution of the BIOS program of the motherboard unit 11 or the SCSI communication member 72 occurs, the maintenance service person who is familiar with them efficiently shortens the failure based on the determination result of failure level 1. It can be restored in time.

  As a relatively common example, a floppy disk device or a CD-ROM device (not shown) of the computer 1 is defined as a boot sector, and these devices have a blank disk or other purpose. The disc to be used may be inserted. In this case, the computer 1 cannot execute the OS program. And the determination means of the uninterruptible power supply 2 determines that the failure level is 2 even though the computer 1 has not failed. The system administrator can restore the computer 1 efficiently and in a short time by a maintenance service person familiar with the computer 1. Alternatively, the system administrator can call the store where the computer 1 is located and have the store clerk check the status of the floppy disk device or CD-ROM device. A store clerk removes the disk from the floppy (registered trademark) disk device or CD-ROM device and restarts the computer 1, thereby eliminating the trouble that has occurred in the computer 1 regardless of the person in charge of the maintenance service. The computer 1 can be recovered.

  When a hardware failure has occurred in the storage member 17 of the computer 1, based on the determination result of the failure level 2, it can be efficiently and quickly restored by a maintenance service person familiar with them.

  Further, when the network communication member 19 of the computer 1 is out of order, the system administrator who confirms that the monitoring device 3 cannot communicate with the computer 1 contacts the store by telephone and displays the display member 46 to the store clerk. By confirming that the blue LED is turned on, the person in charge of the maintenance service who is familiar with the network 6 can efficiently restore it in a short time. Even when the computer 1 is operating normally, the uninterruptible power supply 2 may send a signal to the monitoring device 3 informing that the computer 1 has started up normally.

  The SCSI communication member 72 of the computer 1 and the SCSI communication member 75 of the uninterruptible power supply 2 are originally provided in the computer 1 and the uninterruptible power supply 2 in order to manage the uninterruptible power supply 2 with the computer 1. Is. Therefore, it is possible to monitor the startup phase of the computer 1 with a minimum configuration and at a much lower cost than when a device for monitoring the startup phase of the computer 1 is newly provided. Moreover, since there is no need to provide such a new device, the installation space for the computer 1 and the uninterruptible power supply 2 can be maintained as before. Furthermore, since monitoring is performed by the uninterruptible power supply 2, the load on the computer 1 itself is not increased as in the case where the computer 1 itself has a monitoring function, and the execution failure of the service program 24 is prevented. There is no fear of becoming.

  In the second embodiment, the uninterruptible power supply 2 and the computer 1 are connected by the SCSI cable 71, thereby determining the five startup stages. In addition to this, for example, even if the uninterruptible power supply 2 and the computer 1 are connected by a USB cable, five stages can be determined as startup stages of the computer 1.

  Each of the above embodiments is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but is not limited to this, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. .

  For example, in the first embodiment, the start of power supply by the uninterruptible power supply 2, the voltage of the signal line, the activation of the OS program 22, and the activation of the UPS management program 23 (AP program) are monitored. Based on the monitoring result, the activation stage of the computer 1 as the load device is determined in four stages. In the second embodiment, the activation of the BIOS program of the SCSI communication member 72 is further monitored to determine the five activation stages.

  In addition to this, for example, the voltage of the signal line and the activation of the AP program (UPS management program 23, etc.) are monitored to determine whether it is simply a hardware failure of the computer 1 or a software failure. You may make it do. A start of power supply by the uninterruptible power supply 2 may be added to the monitoring item to determine whether the hardware failure is in the uninterruptible power supply 2 or in the computer 1. Further, activation of the AP program may be added to the monitoring item to determine whether the software failure is in the OS program 22 or in the AP program (such as the UPS management program 23).

  In each embodiment mentioned above, computer 1 and uninterruptible power supply 2 are installed in stores, such as a convenience store. In addition, for example, the computer 1 and the uninterruptible power supply 2 may be installed in a factory, a hazardous area, a building, or other facilities.

  In the first embodiment described above, the uninterruptible power supply 2 is provided with voltage detection means, part of OS signal detection means, and AP signal detection means. In the second embodiment described above, the uninterruptible power supply 2 is provided with voltage detection means, part of the BIOS signal detection means, part of OS signal detection means, and AP signal detection means. In other words, in each of the above-described embodiments, the uninterruptible power supply 2 is provided with a plurality of detection means, and a plurality of detection results by the plurality of detection means are determined by the determination means. In addition to this, for example, the uninterruptible power supply apparatus is provided with one detection means, and based on the determination result by this one detection means, it is determined to what extent the computer 1 as the load device has been activated. You may do it.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the determined levels are displayed on the display members 46 and 76. In addition to this, for example, a specific estimated failure location such as a failure of the uninterruptible power supply, a hardware failure of the computer, a failure of the OS software, or a failure of the AP program may be displayed. As a result, the store clerk and the like can directly contact the service corresponding to the failure location.

1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a computer system using an uninterruptible power supply according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is an apparatus block diagram which shows the internal structure of the computer in FIG. It is an apparatus block diagram which shows the internal structure of the uninterruptible power supply device in FIG. It is an apparatus block diagram which shows the internal structure of the monitoring apparatus in FIG. It is a system block diagram which shows the computer system using the uninterruptible power supply which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. FIG. 6 is an apparatus configuration diagram showing an internal configuration of the computer in FIG. 5. It is an apparatus block diagram which shows the internal structure of the uninterruptible power supply device in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Computer (loading equipment)
2 Uninterruptible power supply 3 Monitoring device 4 Distribution line 5 Serial cable for RS-232 (communication cable)
6 Network 18, 44 Serial communication member (communication member)
19, 45, 64 Network transmission member 39 Central processing unit (part of self detection means, part of voltage detection means, part of BIOS signal detection means, part of OS signal detection means, part of AP signal detection means , Part of signal detection means, part of detection means, part of determination means)
42 Power supply monitoring program (part of self-detection means, part of detection means)
46, 76 Display members 47, 77 Voltage detection program (part of voltage detection means, part of detection means)
48 OS signal detection program (part of OS signal detection means, part of signal detection means, part of detection means)
49 Local communication program (part of AP signal detection means, part of signal detection means, part of detection means)
50, 79 Judgment program (part of judgment means)
71 SCSI cable (communication cable)
72,75 SCSI communication member (communication member)
78 BIOS signal detection program (part of BIOS signal detection means, part of signal detection means, part of detection means)

Claims (4)

A communication member that is connected to a computer that is activated based on power supply as a load device that supplies power by a communication cable of a predetermined communication standard, and that receives a signal from an initial setting operation of activation from this computer;
Voltage detection means for detecting a voltage change by the computer in the communication cable after power supply to the computer as the load device is started;
After the start of power supply to the computer as the load device, signal detection means for detecting a signal from the computer via the communication cable;
If the voltage detection means does not detect a predetermined voltage change in the communication cable, it is determined that the computer hardware has failed as a cause of a failure in normal startup, and the signal detection means receives a signal from the computer. If not, the determination means for determining the startup stage of the computer as the load device by determining that the computer software is abnormal,
An uninterruptible power supply comprising: a display member that performs display according to a determination result by the determination unit. A communication member that is connected to a computer that is activated based on power supply as a load device that supplies power by a communication cable of a predetermined communication standard, and that receives a signal from an initial setting operation of activation from this computer;
Voltage detection means for detecting a voltage change by the computer in the communication cable after power supply to the computer as the load device is started;
After the start of power supply to the computer as the load device, signal detection means for detecting a signal from the computer via the communication cable;
If the voltage detection means does not detect a predetermined voltage change in the communication cable, it is determined that the computer hardware has failed as a cause of a failure in normal startup, and the signal detection means receives a signal from the computer. If not, the determination means for determining the startup stage of the computer as the load device by determining that the computer software is abnormal,
An uninterruptible power supply comprising: a network transmission member that transmits a determination result by the determination means to a network. A computer,
A monitoring device connected to the computer via a network;
The uninterruptible power supply according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the uninterruptible power supply is connected to the network while supplying power to the computer
A communication cable for connecting the computer and the uninterruptible power supply so that signals can be transmitted and received,
The uninterruptible power supply device transmits the determination result of the startup stage of the computer from the network transmission member to the monitoring device,
The computer system according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring device displays a determination result relating to the startup stage of the computer. An uninterruptible power supply having a communication member connected to a computer that starts up based on power supply as a load device that supplies power by means of a communication cable of a predetermined communication standard and that receives a signal from the computer for initial setting operation A method for monitoring a startup stage of a computer by an apparatus,
After power supply to the computer as the load device is started, the voltage of the communication cable and a signal transmitted to the communication cable are detected,
Based on these detection results, if a predetermined voltage is not detected, it is determined that the computer hardware has failed, and if the signal is not received, it is determined that the abnormality is caused by the computer program. A computer start-up stage monitoring method using an uninterruptible power supply.

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